Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician

Michigan, United States of America

Job Family Group: Production and Manufacturing Downstream

Worker Type: Regular

Business Unit: Experienced Professionals

What's the Role?

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for providing quality assurance by testing samples against established specifications and supplying customers with accurate, measured, and interpreted results. The role also involves performing routine maintenance and providing occasional repair and troubleshooting support for laboratory equipment.

The Laboratory Technician ensures that products manufactured and distributed by Shell within the envelope conform to Shell internal standards, customer requirements, and legislative regulations through strict adherence to standard quality control testing procedures.

As part of the Shell Lubricants Supply Chain team, the Laboratory Technician contributes to improving the efficiency and reliability of lubricants manufacturing, helping to enhance overall financial performance through the application of quality assurance methodologies.

The role supports Shell's lubricants business through laboratory-based testing of lubricating oils and, when required, provides product development, trialing, and investigative services to various Shell business sectors.

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for:

• Prioritizing the safety of themselves and their coworkers above all else.
• Performing quality control testing to ensure products conform to specifications prior to release, including:
• Blend oil sample testing
• Package filling sample testing
• Bulk truck/rail shipping sample testing
• Bulk truck/rail receiving sample testing
• Tank-to-tank transfer sample testing
• Using SAP and other computerized systems to support daily operational activities and transactions.
• Recommending updates or changes to existing formulations to optimize blend properties, where applicable.
• Performing Blend Formulation and Laboratory functions within the SAP R/3 system.
• Conducting trial blends of new and modified products to develop updated formulations that meet LQS standards, when requested.
• Ensuring all lubricant oil and grease formulations remain strictly confidential.
• Determining corrective actions for off-specification products, including up-treating, reblending, or other disposition methods, while optimizing costs and ensuring compliance with product requirements.
• Testing, assessing, and recommending corrective actions for non-conforming products in coordination with the Quality Manager.
• Conducting validation and calibration of laboratory equipment to ensure accurate testing results.
• Monitoring Statistical Process Control (SPC) data for selected lubricant products to maintain LQS reduced-testing requirements.
• Assisting the Quality Manager and Regional Area Product Manager with the development and implementation of site and regional quality initiatives and programs.
• Troubleshooting laboratory equipment issues and test method problems.
• Following all HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental) guidelines in the performance of duties and responsibilities.

What we need from you

• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring visa sponsorship.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Relevant post-secondary education preferred.
• Relevant experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, quality, or related industrial environment preferred.
• Technical skills preferred, including experience with viscosity measurement, Total Acid Number (TAN), pH testing, particle count analysis, reserve alkalinity testing, general titration techniques, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma Analysis).
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong computer literacy and systems proficiency.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and continuously develop technical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities without compromising safety or quality standards.
• Strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-performance, team-based environment with a high degree of autonomous decision-making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn, execute, and eventually develop procedures while ensuring compliance with established standards.
• Knowledge of ISO standards, processes, procedures, and quality management principles.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with SAP or similar enterprise systems is considered an asset.
• Willingness to work on a rotating shift schedule.
• Ability to serve as a member of an emergency response team.
• Using safe lifting techniques, must be able to lift and carry up to 20 kg from ground level to waist height.
• Ability to work safely while wearing a respirator or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
• Willingness to comply with Shell's drug-free and harassment-free workplace policies, as well as all safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, inclusive, and team-oriented environment.